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Here are the latest obituaries and notices as provided by the funeral homes serving Cookeville, Baxter, Monterey, Sparta, Gainesboro and Livingston.
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Obituaries For Tuesday, October 31
Joshua “Josh” Elbert Blaylock, 40 of Cookeville, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at his home. Josh was born Monday, December 6, 1982 in Crossville, and he was the son of Charles Edward Blaylock and Theresa Jewel (Suchanek) Brewer. Josh is survived by, Mother, Theresa Brewer; Father, Charles “Butch” Blaylock; 2 Sisters, Heather (Blaylock) Rogers and Brenda Jewel Blaylock; 2 Brothers, Michael Blaylock and Curtis Blaylock; A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends. Josh was preceded in death by, Paternal Grandparents, Elbert and Gusta Blaylock; Maternal Grandparents, Glen and Robert King; Step-Dad, David Lewis Judd, Sr. Josh chose cremation, the family followed his wishes, and a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Ronnie Flatt, 61 of Gainesboro, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born April 17, 1962, in Jackson County. He was the son of the late Ernest Lee Flatt and Emma Jean Williams Flatt. He was a truck driver. Survivors include his Sons: Dustin (Alexandria) Flatt and Devon Flatt, both of Gainesboro; Daughter: Kimberly (Augustus) Rodgers of Gainesboro; Sister: Tina (Tom) Wyatt of Gainesboro; Grandchild: Preston Flatt of Gainesboro; Significant Other: Ashley Keith of Gainesboro; Nieces: Emily and Dana Buckner; and Friends: Lamar Dawson and Evelyn Keith of Gainesboro. The family has chosen cremation, with memorial services to be held at a later date at the New Salem Church of Christ with Bro. Sam Mainord officiating. Memorial donations may be made to assist with funeral expenses by contacting Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home.
Funeral Services for Randy Mitchell, age 68, of Cookeville, will be conducted on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church. Pastor Sonny Gilpatrick will officiate with interment to follow in the Welch Memorial Cemetery. Mr. Mitchell was born on Monday, March 28, 1955, in Memphis, to the late William “Bill” and Mildred Wyse Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at his home. Mr. Mitchell was a retired truck driver for over 30 years and a former volunteer fireman with Putnam County Fire Department. He was a loving husband, father, and “Pops”. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kelly Burroughs Mitchell of Cookeville; children, John and Tonia Hunt of Alamo, TN, Amy and Richard Hite of the Shady Grove Community, Robert and Amber Mitchell of Sparta, Steven and Alivia Mitchell of Cookeville; and grandchildren, Shyanne, Bentley, Holden, Kyrie, and Nova. The family will receive friends at Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, from 11:00 AM until time of services at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be given to the funeral home.
Funeral services for Opal Burgess, 83 of Cookeville will be Wednesday, November 1 at 2 PM at the Dyer Chapel of Hooper Huddleston Horner Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Smellage Memory Gardens in the Boma Community of Putnam County. Mrs. Burgess died Monday morning, October 30, 2023 at Signature HealthCare of Putnam County in Algood. She was born February 29, 1940 in Putnam County to the late Jesse and Dimple Buckner Long. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy Vance Burgess on March 18, 2020; sisters, Vivian Long and Brenda Nash; a brother, Bud Long. Opal was a member of Boma First Church of God. Her work career was with Teledyne Stillman and Triangle Plastics of Cookeville. She enjoyed fishing, riding motorcycles, teaching Sunday School Class and keeping her grandbabies until her health declined. She had been a resident of SHC for the past 7 years. Survivors include daughters, Penny (David) Cox, Marceen Randolph, Tammy (Johnny) Ray all of Cookeville; step-daughters, Connie Darlene Burgess of Hilham, Teresa Burgess-Ogilvie (Michael) of Canada; sisters, Robbie Powell and Dean Stewart both of Cookeville, Sandy Cole of Sparta; grandchildren, Sara (William) Upchurch, Jessica (John) Webb, Blake Pearson (Libby Casey), Zanell Parks, Emily (Tyler) McCoy, Jason (Eva) Gibson;11 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends Wednesday after 12 Noon until service time at the funeral home.
A Celebration of Life for Grady Harvey Strang, age 94, of Cookeville, will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at Crest Lawn Funeral Home and Cremation Center. He passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 having spent the day surrounded by his loved ones. Grady entered this life on February 11, 1929 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida to the late Robert and Rosa Strang. In his younger years, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard as an electrician. He was stationed in Puerto Rico. Years later after his honorable discharge, he returned with his family to Puerto Rico and opened a very successful laundromat and offered laundry services throughout the island. In 1976, he moved to Tennessee, where he stayed for the remainder of his life. He loved John Wayne movies, all things old western and especially the senior citizen dance at The Veterans Center. Grady will be fondly remembered as a loving, attentive, and involved father and grandfather. In addition to his parents, Grady is preceded in death by late wife Mary Crabtree-Strang and his siblings. Left to cherish his memory are his three loving children; Mary (John) Federer, Irene Strang-Kelly, and Grady (Simone) Strang; Grand-daughters, Megan(Patrick) Appleget, Nicole (Lagmai) Pajela, Rachel (Jesse) Lahmon, Wren (Wyatt) Slonaker, Estreya (Samuel) McCanna, Larissa (Gerhson) Garcia, Camilla (Roman) Pino; and many great-grandchildren; and a special friend of the family, Linda Walker and her daughter Robin. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be made to Signature HealthCARE-Putnam, Life Enrichment Department at 278 Dry Valley Rd Cookeville, TN 38506.
A Funeral for Donald “Don” Eugene Downey, 76 of Cookeville, will be held on Thursday Nov 2, 2023, at 11:00 Crest Lawn Funeral Home in Cookeville. Burial will be at Chattanooga Memorial Gardens at 3pm EST. He passed away on Sunday October 29, 2023, at his home. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. Don Downey was born on 12/3/1946 in Chattanooga to Chester and Margaret Ezell Downey. He attended Tennessee Tech University and pursued a career in accounting. After College Don joined the United States Army as a commissioned officer where he served overseas. Don is survived by wife Linda Thompson Downey, Children: Tom Downey (deceased), Angie Downey Trusty (Dennis), Stacy Shelton Pelfrey (Teeter), Renea Kendall Boggs (Clayton), Jason Kendall (deceased), Grandchildren Dylan Keen, Elijah McCallister, Callie Kendall, Mattea Trusty, Delana Lombardo, Tia Trusty, Dorian McCalpin, Jayce Keen, Carissa Bradbury, and numerous other cherished family members and friends. After his military service Don Served as County Auditor and several positions at Hamilton County, Chattanooga before taking Hospital Administrator positions at several different hospitals throughout his career. Visitation will be Wednesday Nov 1, 2023, at 5pm until 8pm, and on Thursday Nov 2, 2023, at 9am until the time of service.
Celebration of Life Services for Brad Short, age 54, of Jamestown, will be conducted on Thursday, November 2, 2023, at 7:00 PM from The Chapel of Goff Funeral Home. Pastor Sonny Gilpatrick will officiate. Mr. Short was born on Thursday, August 28, 1969, in Anderson, Indiana, to the late Buddy Talmadge and Edna Louethel Harris Short. Mr. Short passed away on Monday, October 23, 2023. Mr. Short currently worked with Cobb-Vantress in Deer Lodge, Tennessee. He was former store manager at Sav A Lot in Monterey, and Walmart in Algood and Jamestown. He loved cowboys, The Braves, and the TV show Supernatural. He was proud of his kids, and his nieces and nephews. He loved to keep everyone laughing and never met a stranger. He was a Christian. He is survived by his daughters, Ivorie Short of Jamestown, Isabel Shaver of Clarksville; sons, Isaac Short of Jamestown, Matthew (Elsie) Short of Monterey, Isaiah Dalton of Jamestown; sisters, Margaret (Tracy) Langford of Monterey, Lena Gail Dishman of Livingston, Ella Dishman of Monterey; 10 nieces and nephews; 13 great nieces and nephews; and mother of his children, Jessica Potter of Jamestown. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law, James Dishman and Ricky Dishman. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be given to the funeral home. The family will receive friends at Goff Funeral Home on Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 5:00 PM until time of services at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Pat Austin, age 82, of Livingston will be conducted 11 a.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023, from the Netherland Church of Christ. Bro. Mark Loftis will officiate. Burial to follow in the Good Hope Cemetery. Mrs. Pat peacefully passed from her home in Livingston surrounded by her family, on Monday afternoon, October 30, 2023. She was born at home on February 9, 1941, in Livingston, to the late Earl Hasker “Hack” and Nora Anna Hodges Copeland. She was a member of the Netherland Church of Christ. Pat married the love of her life Mr. Ray Price Austin, in August of 1957. She then graduated Livingston Academy in 1959 and started building their family shortly afterwards. During that time Pat and Ray traveled to every State in the Union except Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Hawaii. In 1978 Pat received her Bachelor of Science and started teaching school in Overton County. She earned her Master’s degree in 1997 and earned her EDS degree in 1999. Her children and grandchildren were her life where she would travel for sports and soap box derbies all over the Northeast. Pat was also known for her excellent cooking for her family and church family. Pat leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Ray Austin of Livingston; daughters, Tammy Loftis and husband Mark of Cookeville, Amanda Austin and husband Mike White of Hermitage, and Beth Gunnels and husband Joe of Rickman; son, Mike Austin and wife Lori of Rickman; grandchildren, Evan Loftis and wife Hannah, Dylan Loftis and wife Kaylee, Lucas Gunnels, Leah Gunnels, John Lewis Austin, and Matthew Austin; great-grandchildren, Griffin Loftis, Maxine Loftis, and Adelaide Loftis; step-sister, Patricia Conner and husband Steve of OH. In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her sister, Anita Copeland and step-brother, Jimmy C. Ledbetter. The family will welcome friends on Friday evening from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., then on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until time of services at the Netherland Church of Christ. Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association by contacting Speck Funeral Home.
A Memorial Service for Larry Wayne Geer, age 72 of Sparta, will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Lamar Redmon officiating. He passed away on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born May 22, 1951 in Sparta, and he was the son of the late William Geer and the late Marie Stoglin Geer. He served in the United States National Guard for many years. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, and spending time with is family and friends. He owned Geer’s Grocery for 39 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Carrie Geer and his brother, Douglas Geer. Survivors include: Wife- Nelouise Geer of Sparta; Daughter- Christy Tubbs (Chad) of Sparta; Son- Kyle Geer (Regina) of Baxter; Step-Daughters- Tania Whittenburg (Steven) of Cookeville, and Teri Dockery (Mike) of Sparta; Son- Trevor Elrod of Sparta; 8 Grandchildren and 1 Great-Grandchildren; Sisters- Brenda Oaks (Jim) of Sparta, and Patricia Trobaugh of Baxter; Several nieces and nephews also survive. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home.
Memorial services honoring Rebecca Diane “Becky” Tomlinson, 63 of Cookeville, will be held 2:00-5:00 p.m. Saturday November 4th at the Cookeville chapel of Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home. A woman of radiant optimism and boundless love, she passed away peacefully at Bethesda Health Care in Cookeville on October 18, 2023. Born on December 17, 1959, in Nashville, Becky lived her life with a contagious zest for life, a sharp wit, and an unwavering kindness that touched all who knew her. Becky was predeceased by her parents, William Charles Tomlinson and Jean Tomlinson Dallas, and her brothers, David and Steve Tomlinson. She is survived by her loving son, Kyle Greenway of Huntsville, AL; her cherished daughter, Kasey Greenway of Baxter; her supportive brother, Michael (Michele) Tomlinson of Blaine, WA; her dear sister, Janice Tomlinson of Nashville; and her treasured grandchildren, Jules Rose Salgado and Jameson Nash Greenway. Becky was a woman of many passions. She had a profound love for music and reading, often seen with a book in one hand and headphones in the other. Her wit and humor were infectious, and she was known for her ability to light up any room with her laughter. Becky was a no-nonsense woman who lived her life with a kind and loving spirit. Her optimism was unwavering, and she had a unique ability to see the positive in every situation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Becky’s honor to the Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter, 2650 Gainesboro Grade, Cookeville, TN 38501.
A memorial service for Rosina “Rose” Fields, 85 of Cookeville, is being planned, tentatively set for Saturday, November 11 at 1 PM at Cookeville First Baptist Church. She died Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at her home. Her wishes of cremation are being honored. She was born August 1, 1938 in Sicily, Italy to the late Basil and Rose Natoli Aragona. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Erwin Fields on February 16, 2019 and a sister, Anna Kowalczyk. She was a homemaker. Rose was a member of Cookeville First Baptist Church and very active in her Sunday School Class. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening and spending time with family and friends. Survivors include sons David (Anh-Phuong) Fields of Burke, VA, Douglas (Gabriele) Fields of Albuquerque, New Mexico, sister Gracie Brooks of Michigan, brother Joe Aragona of Wisconsin, grandchildren: Andrew Fields, George Fields, Anne Catherine “Kitty” Fields, James Monroe Fields, Lukas Samuel Fields, great-grandchildren: Elysia Noel Fields and Seraphina Ophelia Fields. The family will receive friends from 12 Noon until service at the church.
